Kano State

By Tijjani Ahmad

As a state that accommodates one out of every ten people living in the country, Kano has many competitive advantages over other states regarding development at the sub-national level. Looking at how economies worldwide are competing to finance development, mainly using domestic resources mobilisation, the easiest for the state is to leverage on its abundance of human resources.

As a governor of the state for the second time from 2011 to 2015, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso wanted to make Kano a knowledge-based economy by providing necessary education and skills, thereby making a large portion of the state’s economic growth and employment from knowledge-intensive activities. The governor understood how knowledge spurs more rapid growth than any other resources; therefore, he projected the potential of the state to use its population of teeming youth as a comparative advantage.

His revolution started with efforts to bridge the workforce gap in tertiary institutions by sponsoring more than 2,500 postgraduates and undergraduates to study abroad. In addition, he sponsored hundreds of undergraduates in private universities across the country. These beneficiaries were expected to come back and support the education sector of the state and beyond. 

These people were selected based on merit, and most of them occupied positions at various tertiary institutions in Kano state and Northern Nigeria in general. Recently, two of the beneficiaries were listed among the most cited scientists in the world.

The governor further created 47 technical colleges to revive technical and vocational education. These colleges were strategically located across 44 local governments to provide secondary school students in rural and urban areas with skills in various trades. 

Looking at how Kano businesspeople import textile and garments materials, the governor also established skills acquisition centres in more than 20 local governments in the state to serve as incubation centres for modern garment production. However, these centres were about to be launched when the present government truncated the effort. Only God knows the reason. 

I heard the governor on air saying that when these centres are launched, they would compete favourably and capture a significant share of the undergarments market in Nigeria and across the sub-region. This is because the centres have been equipped with the most modern techniques and technology in garment making industry.

Kwankwaso didn’t stop there. He introduced over 20 specialised training institutions to provide in-demand skills in agriculture, ICT, sports, tourism and hospitality, among others. One of them is the poultry training institute located at Tukui village of Makoda local government in the northern part of the state.

The institute is designed to offer formal and informal training in poultry production and management. Immediately after its establishment in 2012, the institute trained 4,400 women in basic requirements for poultry production and management practice.

These centres were meant to bridge the skills gap, provide employment to our teeming youth and reduce insecurity and over-dependency on grants by improving internally generated revenue of the state. Had there been continuity in the models employed by the former governor, Kano would have been on its way to reclaiming the past glory it is known for in terms of knowledge and commerce.

The hope of everyone who wishes good for the state is to consolidate this model by whoever would emerge as the state’s number one citizen in 2023. But, of course, this can only be possible if his priority is development.

Tijjani Ahmad wrote from Kano via ahmatee123@gmail.com.

By Salihu Sulaiman

Hard work and appreciation are part of human existence at the individual or government level. Appreciations for deeds that are more than worthy of commendation is a form of motivation to spur the individual that is so much appreciated to do even more. And as I will demonstrate it today in this little tribute, I will celebrate this epitome of hope with this accolade. He’s someone whose humanity transcends his friends, families, community members, and even adversaries. 

Alhaji Musa Majia is the subject of my glowing tribute. A seasoned-cum philanthropist born in poverty in the slums of Majia town of Taura local government in Jigawa state but strived and succeeded in business by venturing into his productive money-making schemes. Alhaji Musa, while transiting into that rigorous walks of life and reaching his Eldorado, he has since become a renowned public philanthropist in his unmatched quest to help children born with wooden spoons with whom he shares the same circumstances. 

He’s the modest wealthiest man I know.  He lives a simple life and completely loathes ostentation. Yet, he’s warm around people and always wears his heart on his sleeve. The most self-effacing, in words and action. Someone who always stands through thick and thin, always well-meaning that it always takes him long to lose in anybody. 

Alhaji Musa’s footprints will forever remain in the sand of time and indelible in his hometown of Majia and Jigawa state at large. A man not known to have acquired any conventional tertiary education in any chosen endeavours, by providence, he established the first conventional, integrated, subsidised, well-equipped, highly strategised private University in Jigawa. He named it Khadija University Majia, after his beloved mother. This is a deliberate philanthropic gesture worth commendation. 

However, Alhaji Musa Majia demonstrated the potency of his patriotic favour when he offered automatic scholarships to indigenous Majia candidates who obtained the minimum requirements to gain admission to the university. 50% waiver to Jigawa state indigenous students and 30% waiver to others from Kano state. This commendable initiative will surely encourage and pave the way for willing and determined students who have a passion for furthering their studies but couldn’t afford the tuition due to their various financial constraints. 

Alhaji Musa’s clean-hearted, grass rooted, and inexhaustible philanthropic gestures are too numerous to enumerate extensively. However, he has distinguished life of service to God and humanity in the cause of his life. He continues to reverberate this, especially in his impeccable character, thoroughbred humanity records, and enviable stature.

In all this heroic precedence he has set, he has proved that character, generosity and purpose are the ingredients he needs to deploy in helping back and lending his helping hands to his community. Thus, he provides them with a first-class private institution at their doorsteps to assist the masses in furthering their education and achieving their full potentials in their various life endeavours. Moreover, he displays courage and integrity in contrast to the willingness and opportunism that other equally wealthy people haven’t shown given the similar circumstance. 

An instructive insight on some of his inexhaustible philanthropic gestures would reveal a man who has a consistent and unmatched commitment towards improving the life and well-being of the members of his community. Little wonder how he has distantly distinguished himself from the general culture of the wealthy. On different occasions, he kept his word on the transitions of helping the needy and carried out with utmost transparency with complete blindness to any family lineage or any discrimination. 

Alhaji Musa Majia has overseen the construction and distribution of over 120 houses to people in his community who have no shelter and have sponsored over 40 students to further their studies abroad from 2011 to date. Alhaji Musa has also facilitated the construction of arguably one of Jigawa’s best secondary schools with the tahfiz section known as Adams Science and Tahfizul Quran academy Majia in 2020. It is situated in his hometown of Majia to also aid in realising the full potentials of the willing and talented students of Majia town. 

In job creation, he has facilitated the employment of indigenous youths of Majia town in various professions, especially the bureau de change professions. Many young graduates and non-graduates who have benefitted from his benevolence have excelled in that endeavour and created manpower for other equal contemporaries to curb unemployment in the community. Alhaji Musa has also facilitated the situation of the FRSC division and police division in Majia town to curb the menace of security in the community. 

Additionally, in his generosity, Alhaji Musa has also provided white-collar jobs to numerous Majia youths in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Over a hundred youths were provided with police offers, FRSC civil defence, and other para-military agencies across the country. With also a large farm settlement and a multi-millionaire plaza that employs over 500 workforces.  

This exceptional gesture of establishing a world-class private institution in his hometown of Jigawa earned the commendation of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu. They both describe his efforts as motive born out of patriotism and commend his potency of inherent  Ingenuity, which will be invaluable to the people of Majia, Jigawa and Nigeria. 

From the ongoing and his burgeoning philanthropic trajectories, it is evidently clear that Alhaji Musa Adamu Majia is a man of history. He has left a permanent mark in the annals of his community. He is also a worthy role model and inspiration for many aspiring philanthropists.

Salihu Sulaiman wrote from Dutse. He can be reached via salihusulaiman6540@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Niger Republic has sought greater cooperation through the strengthening of students’ exchange programmes and other related issues on collaborations with tertiary institutions between the country and Kano State.

The Niger Republic Minister of Vocational training, Kassoum Mamane Moctar and his counterpart of Education and Scientific research, Dr Mamadou Djibo from the same neighbouring West African country, made the proposal.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Hassan Musa Fagge, in a statement signed Thursday, disclosed.

The minister said many years back, students from Niger Republic came to Nigeria, particularly Kano, to study in various tertiary institutions.

He said, “now we want that students exchange programme to be revived and sustained”.

“Through the partnership, we will promote quality of education and research in both our tertiary institutions, which will be of benefit to all of us,” he stated.

Responding on behalf of the Governor, his Deputy Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna said Kano State is ready to collaborate with Niger Republic in areas of interest and benefit.

Gawuna thanked the delegation from Niger Republic for the visit and assured them of cooperation.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has called on his rivals, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau and others, for reconciliation in order to enhance the unity and stability of the APC in Kano state.

Ganduje made the call a few moments after being declared victorious at the Court of Appeal in Abuja this morning. The governor, who said he was pleased with the judgment, has extended a hand of unity to Shekarau and the G-7 faction of the APC in the state.

The Daily Reality reports that the court of Appeal in Abuja has invalidated the ward and local government congress by the APC faction led by Senator Ibrahim Shekarau in Kano. The court has rejected the judgment of an FCT High Court, which declared the Shekarau faction victorious.

In an interview with the Daily Trust, while reacting to the court judgment, the governor said, “his confidence in the judiciary had been strong since the beginning of the case, and as such he is very happy with the judgment.”

Ganduje, who spoke through Malam Muhammad Garba, the state’s Commissioner of Information, said the judgment would further enhance the unity and stability of the APC in Kano state.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has invalidated the ward and local government congress by the APC faction led by Senator Ibrahim Shekarau in Kano.

The court has rejected the judgment of an FCT High Court, which declared the Shekarau faction victorious.

The courts’ decisions were delivered on Thursday morning by Justices Haruna Tsammani, B. I. Gafai and J. Amadi.

APC crisis is one of the issues that has been raising dust between the factions long since Shekarau was declared to have defeated Ganduje.

The court has also described the crisis as an internal matter, not a pre-election matter.

Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice for Kano State, Barrister Lawan Musa, said that the judgment of the lower court had been set aside.

Barrister Lawan Musa, “The judgment of the lower court has been set aside for lack of territorial jurisdiction and also because it is an intraparty affair.

The third ground is that even the originating process used to file the case was wrongly done, as such, even the originating process was set aside. All the decisions are unanimous,” he added.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has commended the Road Transport Employers Association Of Nigeria (RTEAN) for creating many job opportunities for the youth.

 Ganduje lauded the contribution of the association to the growth of the economy through the creation of job opportunities for the youth in the transportation sector.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Hassan Musa Fagge, disclosed this in a statement signed Tuesday. 

The Governor, represented by his Deputy Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, made the statement when he launched the RTEAN at Kwanar Dawaki Motor Park new office on Tuesday. 

Ganduje said, “we are really proud of you (RTEAN) having recognised your contribution to the improvement of the transport sector through engaging our youth to have jobs he said.”

He added that RTEAN was complementing the state government’s effort to ensure that the youth have jobs by employing thousands of workers in Kwanar Dawaki Moto Park.

However, the Governor also urged the leadership of RTEAN to continue to enlighten their members about traffic rules and proper maintenance of their vehicles.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

The member representing Kano municipal in the House of Representatives, Sha’aban Ibrahim Sharada, has reiterated the need to invest more in education.

Sharada also accused some politicians of supplying drugs and dangerous weapons for the youth for some selfish reason.

The rep was speaking on Saturday during the 40th Anniversary of Mass Communication Alumni Association (BUMCAA) at Bayero University, Kano. 

He said that there was no better investment in any society than the provision of the right atmosphere through education.

 Sharada argued that societal development has a direct link with people’s educational attainment, saying education and development cannot be separated. 

He said, “Education is the key that unlocks everything. And for this, I would like to call on politicians, philanthropists, businessmen and other well-meaning Nigerians to heavily invest in education. 

“For politicians, there is no better investment than providing the right atmosphere and an enabling environment for our children to forge ahead educationally. 

“Instead of supplying drugs and dangerous weapons to the so-called political thugs, politicians should instead choose to sponsor them and make their lives better,” he added.

The events, which took place on Friday and Saturday at BUK, aimed at commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Department of Mass Communication of the institution.

By Mukhtar Jarmajo

Aside from the fact that boarding secondary school provides the ground for moral and academic excellence, it is also a platform for socialization. People of different backgrounds in terms of social class, religion, culture and even thoughts converge in one place, of course from different corners of the country, to mingle as they work and walk towards civilization. It was undoubtedly for the above and many other reasons that on October 2, 1999, we all converged in Hassan Ibrahim Gwarzo Secondary Schools, Kano. We were there to pursue knowledge in a journey of self-search with the hope that in the end, we will make a responsible community from which society will benefit.

And so it happened, through time, we endured all the rigours and the backbreaking toil that come with the boarding school environment and with the challenges of learning, especially in a setting that the late Prof. Ibrahim Alƙali Ayagi managed. In aiming for excellence, Ayagi always raised the bar for promotion to the next class. From the policy that a student must pass all core science subjects to mathematically create the formula which postulated that the average of a student’s cumulative scores must be higher than that of the class before promotion, Ayagi kept us on our toes throughout the time. 

And for senior secondary classes, it was the famous Operation Credit Only (OCO). One morning in 2003, the boys and the girls in senior secondary classes gathered for a combined assembly. Prof. Ayagi used the opportunity to announce the new policy that the least acceptable score for us was a credit. He also announced that from that day, the SS2 and SS3 syllabuses would be covered in SS2. So that in SS3, it will be “revision, revision and revision only.” And to achieve this, we had classes during evening preps and during holidays in what was referred to as “extension classes.” 

And true to it, the efforts of the school management, as well as our commitment and doggedness, paid off. As a result, the school began to have better JAMB/WAEC/NECO results. Thus by the time we obtained our O’ Level results in 2005, it was the best at that time. Both the JAMB and SSCE results were commendable. Hence, that year, O’ Level holders from Hassan Ibrahim Gwarzo Secondary Schools got unprecedented placements in universities worldwide. 

Many of us got admission to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi. Murli Mahmood, Shaheeda Abdullahi Umar, Ismail Umar (Ashaka), Amina Ahmad Usman, Abdulhafiz Nuhu Ahmad, Rahanatu Ahmad Aliyu, Umar Saidu Abashe, Abdulqadir Hussaini Mukhtar, Salamatu Bashir Dogara, Usman Nagado Usman, Abdullahi Farouk Bello and I got admissions into various departments. But as providence would have it, few left the university for other schools for one reason or the other. 

Murli Attaib Mahmood left for Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, to continue studying Geology, which he started at ATBU. He later obtained a Bachelor’s degree there, and after the compulsory national youth service (NYSC), Murli Mahmood joined the services of the Bauchi State Judiciary some years ago. He got married last year (2021) and died on January 8. Innalillahi wa inna alaihir ra ji un! 

In the early hours of that fateful day and on the Maiduguri bypass in Bauchi, Murli Mahmood got involved in a fatal auto crash. It happened at the Ramadan Press junction that links the bypass with the ever-busy Murtala Muhammed way. Murli Mahmood came from Awala Roundabout, which is on the bypass. And while trying to crossover to move into Murtala Muhammed way, a commercial bus came from the popular Gidan-Mai Roundabout, heading towards Awala Roundabout, only to hit Murli’s car on the passenger side. 

And because of the high speed with which the commercial bus came, Murli, who was on the driving wheel, could not withstand the intensity of the pressure exerted on him. As a result, he sustained internal injuries and almost immediately succumbed to death. On arrival at the Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), medical personnel confirmed his death. That was how he left without saying goodbye to us. 

The last time we spoke was on January 3. He called me on the phone around 8 pm for consultation on his intention to participate in the elections of the Bauchi State chapter of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN). Murli told me that he wanted to contest either the seat of the Treasurer or that of the Chairman. After a lengthy discussion, I advised him to go for the Chairmanship position. However, we concluded that the final decision would be made when he sat with his father. I then requested that I be made a member of the Campaign Council even though I don’t belong to the JUSUN. 

From then, the next thing that came to me was the news of Murli’s shocking death. After the early morning prayers on January 8, I tuned in BBC Hausa 06:30 am program. While listening, I slept off only to wake up a few minutes later to realize I missed 11 calls, mainly from Ismail Umar (Ashaka). When I called back, he broke the sad news to me. I immediately broke the news in the WhatsApp group of the Class of 2005, jumped out of bed and rushed to the Gida-Dubu estate where Murli Mahmood resided. 

Before I got there, his lifeless body was already home, and it was being bathed in accordance with Islamic rites. I profusely cried when I saw Muhammad Ma’amun (Baban-Bauchi), one of his closest elder cousins, preparing Murli’s body for funeral prayers. It certainly took a lot of courage for him to be there, especially because they have, over time, metamorphosed into friends. It was through Murli we knew Baban-Bauchi. His elder brother, Aslam and younger brother, Asdaq, were also around. But I did not see both of them close to Murli’s body. One can imagine the grief that weathered the time. It was unquestionably a moment of heartache, so the atmosphere was tense. 

At 1 pm, the Janaaza prayer took place, and Murli Attaib Mahmood was buried. He was a man of the people who related very well with us. He was a friend maker who maintained cordial relationships with almost everyone in his network. We have indeed lost a true friend who never failed to be present in our times of need. I have lost a friend of about 20 years who grew up to become a family. I have also lost my “political opponent.” We hardly stood on the same political side. Therefore, in most cases, we debated our points to buttress our stands. Meanwhile, I must acknowledge that Murli`s political and socio-economic views were based on his genuine concerns for a better society. I have indeed lost a friend and brother!

May the soul of Murli Mahmood rest in eternal peace. Ameen!

Jarmajo can be reached via dattuwamanga@gmail.com.

By Usama Abdullahi

Nothing could be scarier than seeing some people sympathising with the ruthless murderer of little Haneefa Abubakar. Anyone who does that does it out of unflinching apathy toward human’s life. Liu Jan, a Chinese billionaire businessman, was convicted of murder and executed in February 2015 simply because he ran a mafia-style gang. Likewise, one of his siblings and some other three associates were executed. 

If this could happen in a well-evolved, progressive and most populous country on earth, I wonder why it wouldn’t happen here in Nigeria. Does it mean Nigerians are the most softhearted people in the whole wide world? Of course, no. If issues of sympathy arise, I bet many Nigerians would bury themselves in shame because they are wont of barbarism.

Our hypocrisy knows no boundary and is second to none. It’s deep-rooted, and we seem not ready to change for the better. Innocent poor people are cruelly barbecued as chickens and kidnapped daily, yet the (un)repentant criminals are warmly received and mollycoddled. Their barbaric actions are overlooked. Unfortunately, those wounded and displaced to new unfavourable suburbs are left unaided.

It’s a grave sin to glorify or pardon criminals whenever they fake repentance. This is why our country breeds a generation of stubborn criminals and why insecurity thrives. Actually, we do no justice by neglecting the fact that those criminals are worthless and deserve to be tortured to death just as they did to our brothers and sisters.

We escalate the precarious situations of our dear nation by being soft on criminals. No doubt that laws in this country are imposed upon the labouring classes or less privileged ones. If the needy steal to feed their bereaved or starved families, they are burned to ashes when caught by mobs who are thieves themselves. Those disadvantaged are primarily refugees and victims of bad governance. I’m not trying to justify their crimes either. No, I am not. 

But who do you think should be burned to ashes unhesitatingly? Yes, the real unsparing and often politically sponsored criminals, I suppose. It’s true that the so-called sympathisers neither mourn the slain nor denounce the slayers. On the contrary, they are quick to condone and gloat over innocent people’s death. One who sympathises with a criminal is either crueller or no different than the criminal himself.

By excusing barbarism, we are trying to eliminate these two words, “deterrence” and “justice”, from our constitution. If criminals are not punished accordingly, there’s no “deterrence”; many people will probably carry out their unlawful activities without fear. And if justice can’t be done too, then this society is lawless. Until Haneefa’s murderer, Abdulmalik, faces the death penalty, I will never forgive our judicial system.

Usama Abdullahi wrote from Abuja, Nigeria. He can be reached at usamagayyi@gmail.com.

By Ambali Abdulkabeer

More than any other incidents, the recent killing of one Hanifa Abubakar in Kano state by her wicked school head, Mr Abdulmalik Tanko, has been making the rounds on social media. People have angrily commented on the gory incident and demanded that the perpetrator be immediately killed in return. However, more than the angry ocean of comments made by parents who put themselves in the shoes of the diseased’s parents, it would be depressing to construe the motive behind the action. If truth be told, we live in a world rife with sheer inhumanity.

Based on the reports published by several newspapers, Mr Tanko, who is a father of three, had kidnapped the deceased and demanded 6 million ransom weeks before he eventually murdered her. He did that, according to reports, because the innocent girl recognized him. I can’t wrap my head around this. But, while we feel battered by his action, we should not forget that Mr Tanko is a representative of a larger, utterly redolent society.

In several parts of the country, such a case is rising. Our society has degenerated into a theatre of inexplicable death while we continue to pretend nothing is happening. It is not out of point to mention that ours is a world of wolves in sheep’s clothing. We no longer value human souls. Instead, we belittle the significance of life as enshrined in the sacred books available to us. Daily, people’s interactions are shaped by motives that stray away from the principles of humanity.

In all of this, I think we have to reflect on the happenings in our world. The fact that suspicion, manifest in hypocrisy and sheer wickedness, defines our relationships as a people should remind us of the destruction that has befallen the human race. As far as I know, no religion justifies the termination of the human soul on flimsy reason. No culture encourages such. What is wrong with us?

For instance, ALLAH reminds us in Qur’an 5:32 that killing of the human soul is a grave offence: “For that, cause We decreed for the Children of Israel that whosoever killeth a human being for other than manslaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as if he had killed all mankind, and whoso saveth the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind.” Several Hadiths of the noble prophet Muhammad (SAW) also remind us of the enormous aberration that unjustifiable termination of human souls represents.

It is high time we began to pay attention to virtue in our society. I have always felt that Nigeria is descending into a society where morality and values are no longer cherished. People are driven by wealth, and this practice is not unconnected to the litany of woes that our society experiences. Cases of young people dying in their quest for ‘quick money’ are numberless. Unarguably, the high rate of unemployment, mismanagement of resources by those at the helms of affairs, utter cynicism evident in our religious institutions and others have also been cited as reasons people engage themselves in the unimaginable.

However, we would help our society a lot by refusing not to be driven into egregious acts such as killing innocent people, as Tanko did. He didn’t even think about Hanifa’s innocence, her parents and the fact that she had a future. Mr Tanko’s action, in other words, is a manifestation of the death of ethics in our evil society. George Bernard Shaw was right when he said, “The nation’s morals are like its teeth; the more decayed they are, the more it hurts to touch them.”

Mr Tanko should be punished according to the gravity of his offence. He doesn’t deserve mercy, and the law must not be altered to excuse his egregious act as not deserving of death. For subjecting the deceased’s parents to endless grief, for showing that the human soul doesn’t matter to him, for doing the unimaginable, Mr Tanko must not go scot-free. May ALLAH bless the deceased and comfort her parents.

Ambali Abdulkabeer writes in from Ilorin. He can be reached via abdulkabeerambali@gmail.com.